Brain News and Research

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The human brain is the center of the human nervous system and is a highly complex organ. Enclosed in the cranium, it has the same general structure as the brains of other mammals, but is over three times as large as the brain of a typical mammal with an equivalent body size.

International scientist team identifies gene mutation strongly linked to schizophrenia

In a major advance for schizophrenia research, an international team of scientists, led by Jonathan Sebat, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry and cellular and molecular medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, has identified a gene mutation strongly linked to the brain disorder - and a signaling pathway that may be treatable with existing compounds.

3 Feb 2011

Cedars-Sinai receives California Institute grant to develop new technique for specific diseases

A team of scientists from the Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute has been awarded a $1.9 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to fund development of a new technique to aid pharmaceutical discoveries for specific diseases.

3 Feb 2011

Mothers who lose body fat before pregnancy improve health of children

Obesity among women of childbearing age is increasing worldwide. Because babies of obese mothers are themselves predisposed to obesity, society can reasonably expect the epidemic of obese and overweight people to continue through future generations.

3 Feb 2011

Malarial drugs may help treat specific form of frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is caused by a breakdown of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal region of the brain, which leads to, among other symptoms, a change in personality and behavior. The cause of some forms of frontotemporal dementia is a genetically determined reduction of a hormone-like growth factor, progranulin.

3 Feb 2011

Older people with metabolic syndrome may face high risk of developing memory loss

Older people with larger waistlines, high blood pressure and other risk factors that make up metabolic syndrome may be at a higher risk for memory loss, according to a study published in the February 2, 2011, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

3 Feb 2011

Study: Simple sideline test can accurately detect concussions in athletes

A simple test performed at the sideline of sporting events can accurately detect concussions in athletes, according to study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Current sideline tests can leave a wide amount a brain function untested following concussion.

2 Feb 2011

Study suggests human amniotic cells 'cross talk' with melatonin receptor MT1

Human amniotic epithelial cells, stem cells derived from human placenta left over from live births and generally discarded, proliferated and differentiated when they interacted with one kind of melatonin receptor, MT1. This potentially therapeutic response occurred when the stem cells were transplanted into laboratory test tube and animal models of stroke. The same cells did not perform similarly when interacting with melatonin receptor MT2.

2 Feb 2011

Study identifies effects of multiple previous concussions on high school students

A previous study of ex-NFL players showed that the damage caused by concussions occurs in the same region of the brain as damage caused by Alzheimer's disease, resulting in increased concern over post-concussion related injuries and trauma of athletes. Philip Schatz Ph.D., professor of psychology, and his associates recently published a study in Neurosurgery that identifies potentially enduring effects of multiple previous concussions on high school students.

2 Feb 2011

Targeted delivery combination crosses brain protecting barrier and homes in on tumors

A targeted delivery combination selectively crosses the tight barrier that protects the brain from the bloodstream to home in on and bind to brain tumors, a research team led by scientists from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reported in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

2 Feb 2011

Research identifies potential reversibility of chronic neurologic disability in stroke survivors

A breakthrough in stroke research identifying the potential reversibility of chronic neurologic disability in stroke survivors has published today. In the February 1, 2011 issue of the journal CNS Drugs the first human results of a new method of targeting chronic brain inflammation years after stroke are reported.

2 Feb 2011

Masimo PVI predicts fluid responsiveness with high sensitivity, specificity in ICU patients

Masimo announced today that a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Critical Care Medicine demonstrates that noninvasive, continuous monitoring of Masimo Pleth Variability Index predicts fluid responsiveness with high sensitivity and specificity in mechanically-ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit.

2 Feb 2011

Defective nucleoli linked to Parkinson's disease

"Nucleolus", or small nucleus, is the term coined by early biologists for the tiny structure within the nucleus which they saw under the microscope. In this structure within the nucleus, RNA molecules and proteins are assembled to form ribosomes, the true protein factories of cells.

2 Feb 2011

Drugs affecting brain noradrenaline levels could improve breathing in sleep apnea patients

New research from the University of Toronto could provide some restful nights for the 18 million North Americans who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.

2 Feb 2011

Bioengineers and physician-scientists zap tumors with light-activated nanoparticles

Rice University bioengineers and physician-scientists at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital have successfully destroyed tumors of human brain cancer cells in the first animal tests of a minimally invasive treatment that zaps glioma tumors with heat. The tests involved nanoshells, light-activated nanoparticles that are designed to destroy tumors with heat and avoid the unwanted side effects of drug and radiation therapies.

2 Feb 2011

Brain surgeon partners with NASA's JPL to design high-tech surgical instruments

Internationally renowned brain surgeon Hrayr Shahinian, M.D., a pioneer in minimally invasive brain surgery, has announced that he is teaming with scientists and technologists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., to design the next generation of high-tech surgical instruments - technology that also will be useful for planetary exploration.

2 Feb 2011

Pregnant women eating baked clay at risk of cancer, kidney damage and brain damage

Pregnant women eating baked clay could be exposing themselves and their unborn child to toxic chemicals, according to research by De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester, UK.

2 Feb 2011

Research discovers new role of TRPV1 receptors in regulation of locomotor activity

Research by a Barrow Neurological Institute scientist on the thermoregulatory effects of a receptor more commonly studied for its role in pain is the cover story in the Feb. 2 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

2 Feb 2011

Biogen Idec 2010 total revenues increase 8% to $4.7 billion

Biogen Idec Inc., a global biotechnology leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative therapies, today announced its full year and fourth quarter 2010 results.

1 Feb 2011

Gut bacteria may influence mammalian brain development and adult behavior

A team of scientists from across the globe have found that gut bacteria may influence mammalian brain development and adult behavior. The study is published in the scientific journal PNAS, and is the result of an ongoing collaboration between scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the Genome Institute of Singapore.

1 Feb 2011

IFT announces support for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) today announced its support for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) as a landmark opportunity to ensure that Americans focus on healthier food choices and increased physical activity.

1 Feb 2011

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

International scientist team identifies gene mutation strongly linked to schizophrenia

Cedars-Sinai receives California Institute grant to develop new technique for specific diseases

Mothers who lose body fat before pregnancy improve health of children

Malarial drugs may help treat specific form of frontotemporal dementia

Older people with metabolic syndrome may face high risk of developing memory loss

Study: Simple sideline test can accurately detect concussions in athletes

Study suggests human amniotic cells 'cross talk' with melatonin receptor MT1

Study identifies effects of multiple previous concussions on high school students

Targeted delivery combination crosses brain protecting barrier and homes in on tumors

Research identifies potential reversibility of chronic neurologic disability in stroke survivors

Masimo PVI predicts fluid responsiveness with high sensitivity, specificity in ICU patients

Defective nucleoli linked to Parkinson's disease

Drugs affecting brain noradrenaline levels could improve breathing in sleep apnea patients

Bioengineers and physician-scientists zap tumors with light-activated nanoparticles

Brain surgeon partners with NASA's JPL to design high-tech surgical instruments

Pregnant women eating baked clay at risk of cancer, kidney damage and brain damage

Research discovers new role of TRPV1 receptors in regulation of locomotor activity

Biogen Idec 2010 total revenues increase 8% to $4.7 billion

Gut bacteria may influence mammalian brain development and adult behavior

IFT announces support for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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